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Grand Valley State pulls away thanks to defense's strong second half

Grand Valley State junior running back Michael Ratay rushes for a touchdown during Saturday's game against Hillsdale at Lubbers Stadium on November 2, 2013. The Lakers beat the Chargers 31-21.(Andrew Kuhn | MLive.com)

"We made some defensive adjustments," coach Matt Mitchell said, "and we just told the offense, 'We'll get the bleeding stopped on our side and just go out and keep playing.'"

The win improved the Lakers to 7-2 (5-2 in the GLIAC North) to remain two games back in the loss column to Saginaw Valley State, which beat Michigan Tech 55-35 to go to 8-0 in conference. Ferris State stayed a half-game ahead in second at 6-2 following a 41-10 win against Wayne State.

The win was costly for the Lakers, however, as running back Michael Ratay left with four minutes left in the third quarter with an injury to his right leg following a first-down run. He eventually walked to the locker room on his own. Moments earlier, he went over 1,000 yards rushing for the season.

The Lakers also played much of the second half with center Matt Armstrong, the anchor of the offensive line.

Chris Robinson stepped into the main role in the backfield and rushed for 137 yards as the Lakers finished with 567 yards overall. Receiver Jamie Potts had eight catches for 157 yards. Quarterback Heath Parling completed 19 of 29 for 298 yards.

Hillsdale, which came into the game averaging 120 yards rushing, surpassed that with seven minutes left in the first half and had 152 at halftime and held a 21-14 lead.

They ran for just 22 in the second half.

"We were frustrated defensively because we had been playing well on that side of the ball (in recent games)," said Mitchell.

The adjustments included more aggressive use of the safeties, including moving Charles Hill closer to the line, and linebacker stunts to keep quarterback Sam Landry off balance.

The Chargers were held to five first downs in the second half.

"We talked about weathering the storm in the first half," linebacker Jordan Kaufman said. "Then in the second half we made some adjustments, and players and coaches worked together to get the defense going and we finally got back to having fun again."

Meanwhile, the Lakers had to persevere after missing out on two offensive opportunities in the third quarter before finding the scoring rhythm.

Grand Valley marched down the field on its first possession, lined up for a 23-yard field goal attempt, but instead went for a fake. Holder Jeff O’Brien’s run to the left was stopped for no gain.

Next possession, Robinson appeared to go over the pylon on a touchdown run, but instead it was ruled down on the 1. Next play, he fumbled on the goal line and Hillsdale recovered.

But the Lakers, after Ratay scored to tie it at 21-21 early in the third before he was injured, got their offense going in the fourth.

Potts caught a 19-yard touchdown pass from Parling moments in the quarter and added an 18-yard field goal from Joel Schipper.

The Lakers are at Wayne State next Saturday and then finish at home against Saginaw Valley State.